As I continue to transition to a plant-based diet, getting enough protein in my diet is still one of my major concerns. I can manage with lunch and dinner and I’m working on breakfast. But protein-filled snacks are still a problem for me. Luckily, these maple chai roasted chickpeas help fill that void now.
I know what you’re thinking. Don’t I already find ways to sneak protein into baked goods?
Well, if you take these pinto bean brownies as an example, the answer is yes. But when I say snacks I’m not talking about things like brownies, cookies or ice cream. I’m referring to things you can munch on, like M&M’s, skittles, chips and popcorn.
Unfortunately, even healthier versions of those snacks aren’t always nutritionally dense. And since I’m trying to be more mindful of the healthy foods I eat, I’ve been looking for alternatives.
And that’s where these protein-filled maple chai roasted chickpeas come in.
Maple Chai Roasted Chickpeas
Other than the protein, there are a few reasons why I love these maple chai roasted chickpeas.
1. They’re super simple to make
All you need are a handful of ingredients and 30-ish minutes in the oven and you’re good to go.
2. They’re customizable.
I used a chai spice blend because I’m obsessed with chai at the moment. But regular ole cinnamon would work pretty good here as well. Or maybe even pumpkin spice.
3. They’re sweet.
Roasted chickpeas aren’t exactly a new concept. But they usually come in more savoury flavours. Not a problem, if you like savoury snacks. But we all know I’ll take sweet over savoury any day. Even when it comes to snacks.
Honestly, I munch on things like sweet potato chips and homemade popcorn solely because there aren’t many options for sweet snacks, other than granola.
Granted, I do have a couple other sweet snacks in my arsenal, including these honey roasted chickpeas. But the last time I shared a non-granola sweet snack recipe was more than a year ago. High time I rectified that.
With crunchy, protein-filled, slightly sweet and subtly spiced vegan maple chai roasted chickpeas of course.
If you make these maple chai roasted chickpeas, I’d love to hear what you think. Leave a comment and rate the recipe or take a pic and tag it @ExSloth on Instagram!
- 1 15oz can chickpeas, rinsed and thoroughly dried
- ½ tbsp coconut oil, melted
- 1 tbsp maple syrup
- 2 tbsp chai spice blend* (see notes for details)
- Preheat oven to 375F, line a baking sheet with parchment paper and set aside
- Drain and rinse the chickpeas and dry thoroughly between two kitchen or paper towels
- Transfer to prepared baking sheet and bake for 10 - 15 minutes, until fragrant
- Add the coconut oil, maple syrup, chai spice and toasted chickpeas to a medium bowl and mix until well coated
- Transfer the coated chickpeas to the baking sheet and return to the oven for another 15 - 25 minutes or until the chickpeas start to brown and crisp up
- Turn off the oven and allow the chickpeas to cool in there as the oven cools, about 10 - 20 minutes
- The maple chai chickpeas are best on the same day but if you have any leftovers store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days
Want more sweet snacks? Try these:
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WHAT ABOUT YOU?
- Are you a snacker? What’s your favourite?
- Sweet or savoury roasted chickpeas?
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I love chai flavored anything and these look AMAZING! I’m gonna whip some up for my road trip this weekend!!
Ellie | Hungry by Nature recently posted…Peach Galette
These would be perfect for a road trip! Enjoy 😀
ooo i’m actually loving these flavored nut/pea ideas! usually it’s spice-this and garlic-that. and i feel ya on the protein side, although i have a few more options with egg and fish. keep creating these awesome recipes!
Beverley @ Born to Sweat recently posted…The Kettlebell Workout You Can Do In Under 30 Minutes
flavoured nuts/peas/beans are some of my favourite snacks to buy but it’s so hard to find sweet flavours (other than honey roasted). IDK why I only just remembered I can totally make them myself haha
LOVE the idea of maple chia chickpeas. I adore all things sweet and spicy and these sound incredible!!!
You’ll love these Abbey! 🙂
Yum! I want some!
Carmy recently posted…June 2016 Goals Recap
Hit me up when you’re in Waterloo LOL
I am definitely a snacker! Thank you for sharing. I pinned both recipes to make for later. Endless possibilities with the chickpea spices
Hope you like them Enna! 🙂
These look amazing! An awesome twist on the traditional roasted chickpea!
Melissa @ Mango About Town recently posted…Jonathan’s Farm CSA – Week 1
Thanks Melissa!
Mark and I are huge fans of chai, so I cannot wait to make these for us sometime soon! They sound absolutely delicious and with that addictive crunch? I can’t think of a better snack 🙂
Alexa [fooduzzi.com] recently posted…Gluten Free Vegan S’mores
These are definitely addictive. You’ve been warned lol
So, I LOVE roasted chickpeas, but never make a sweet variety. I shall soon! Also, I always end up with the leftovers becoming rather soft – do you have a special trick so they stay crispy?
Christina Bauer recently posted…Vegan BLT Pasta Salad with Almond Cream Aioli
I prefer to make this kind of stuff in small batches and eat them the same day but these were fine the next day in an airtight container at room temp. They’ll definitely get soft after that though.
The honey roasted variety I shared a while back stayed crunchy for much longer and I think it’s because I added the honey & spices after roasting. So you can try roasting the chickpeas for about 30 mins with just the little coconut oil, then coat with the maple syrup & spices and return to the oven for another 5-10 mins. Be careful on the second baking though because it’ll burn pretty easily!
Let me know how it turns out if you try it 🙂
I’ve been obsessed with all things chai lately, so these chickpeas are calling my name! Such a great snack on the go!
Bethany @ Athletic Avocado recently posted…Burrito bowl Stuffed Peppers {Paleo, Vegan + Whole 30 Options!}
The chai flavour in these is unreal! You’ll love them 😀
Love the flavour combo here! I like savoury roasted chickpeas to use in salads and grain bowls, but the sweet ones are my favourite for straight up snacking.
Chelsea’s Healthy Kitchen recently posted…Homemade Hummus with Canned Chickpeas